iPhone

Apple could unveil 'killer app' this summer, says analyst

Apple may shake up the next version of iOS with the introduction of a true mobile wallet, forecasts Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty.

Dubbed a "killer app" by the analyst, the mobile wallet feature would surface as part of iOS 7, which Apple is expected to preview at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Huberty's prediction echoes that of fellow Apple analyst Gene Munster, who also thinks a digital wallet is in Apple's future. However, Munster believes the technology won't surface on iOS devices for another year or two.

Apple got its feet wet in … Read more

Apple blocks Samsung access to next iPhone chip, says report

Apple is cutting Samsung out of anything related to the chip slated for future iPhones and iPads, a South Korea-based newspaper reported.

Apple "has excluded its Korean rival from a project to develop A7...processors," wrote The Korea Times.

That chip will be the successor to the A6 and A6X -- which Samsung makes for Apple -- now powering the iPhone and iPad, respectively.

'"Apple is sharing confidential data for its next A7 system-on-chip (SoC) with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). TSMC has begun ordering its contractors to supply equipment to produce Apple's next processors,'' … Read more

The 404 1,246: Where we kick rocks (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- EA awarded "Worst Company in American History" for second consecutive year.

- Next Xbox won't be backward-compatible, report says.

- CNET How-to: How to make a video game patchbay.

- Warner Bros. Montreal developing Arkham City prequel starring "unrefined" Batman: Arkham Origins.

- 404 news: We're starting to break segments out into shorter clips that are easier to share. Help us blast these out to your friends, won't you? The first one is our report on the list of NSFW movies the Vatican is watching right now!… Read more

Rumor Has It: Apple 'iTV' may require some bling

Remember the "iTV"? Of course you do. It's that fabled HDTV that Apple has reportedly been working on for forever and ever. Apple analysts are beside themselves, trying to predict what the TV will include, how much it'll cost, what will be its killer feature.

This time, an Apple analyst went above and beyond, predicting that the TV will come with some pretty blingy accessories to help Apple infiltrate all aspects of your life. We can't wait.

Also this week, the next-gen Xbox might be announced soon; a Google rumor is denied before we even … Read more

Apple pays $10M to license Palm, other patents

Apple may once have called Palm's patents essentially worthless, but it doesn't seem to think that anymore.

The company reportedly spent 1 billion yen, or $10 million, to license patents from Access Co., a Japanese company that makes software for mobile devices, set-top boxes, and other products. Access acquired PalmSource, the owner of the Palm operating system, in late 2005.

A Google translation, via the Japanese-language Macotakara blog, notes the agreement was signed on March 31 and covers smartphone patents from Palm, PalmSource, Bell Communications Research, and Geoworks.

We've contacted Apple and Access and will update the … Read more

Foxconn sees sales drop 19 percent in first quarter

Foxconn, the manufacturing company best known for producing iPhones and iPads, saw sales drop considerably during the first quarter.

According to Reuters, which obtained a copy of the company's financials during the three-month period ending March, Foxconn saw its sales drop 19 percent to 808.9 billion Taiwan new dollars ($26.9 billion). During the same period last year, Foxconn's revenue hit 1 trillion Taiwan new dollars.

The bad news for Foxconn didn't stop there. The company said that its second-quarter revenue would be relatively flat compared to the prior period, and it might have trouble maintaining … Read more

Apple's hazy, big-screen iPhone ambitions

The suspense is building. After Samsung and HTC upped the game with their recent Android phones, the Galaxy S4 and the One respectively, the focus is shifting to what comes next from Apple.

Various analysts who track Apple and mine information from its supply chain are predicting an early summer debut for a new flagship iPhone. Brian White of Topeka Capital Markets is expecting more. He is predicting that Apple will offer the new iPhone in at least two and possibly three screen sizes.

His call is underpinned by the growing demand for larger displays, and the belief that Apple … Read more

Special feature: The Ken Levine interview (podcast)

Now that BioShock Infinite has been released to the masses, The 404 Show's Jeff Bakalar goes one-on-one with the mind behind the game, co-founder and creative director at Irrational Games, Ken Levine.… Read more

The 404 1,245: Where we print with fire (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- "FireWriter" is a far sexier way to describe an inkjet printer.

- What do gangsters do on the Internet?

- New Brad Paisley, LL Cool J song "Accidental Racist" sparks controversy.

Bathroom break video: Slacktory Supercut: The best fake Web sites from TV shows.… Read more

iPhone 5S to offer multiple screen sizes, analyst says

iPhone 5S buyers could have their choice of screen size, according to Topeka analyst Brian White.

Citing information from a meeting with a "tech-supply chain company," White said today he believes Apple will unveil the iPhone 5S in at least two or possibly three different screen sizes.

"We believe Apple is coming around to the fact that one size per iPhone release does not work for everyone, and offering consumers an option has the potential to expand the company's market share," White said in an investors note released today.… Read more